LaRoy D. Bobzien

March 16, 2007

Medford, Ore. - LaRoy D. Bobzien, 91, Medford, Ore., the son of Ernest G. and Edna (Deardorff) Bobzien, was born in Willow Lake, S.D., on March 11, 1915. While still a baby, he moved with his parents to Forbes, N.D., where he attended school for 12 years. LaRoy began his teaching career as a rural teacher the first year out of high school. He then worked for Farmers Union and Montana Dakota Utilities before returning to school to complete his degree. After graduation from Ellendale Teacher's College, he began teaching in Ellendale, N.D., and did so for 30 years. He taught seventh grade, high school government and psychology, among other things. After completing his Master's Degree at Northern State Teachers College, he became a Guidance Counselor, which he did until retiring from teaching. His last working years were for the John Deere Implement business in Ellendale. LaRoy married Luella Whelan on Sept. 12, 1935, in Ellendale. They lived close to where LaRoy taught rural school and Forbes, N.D., until they moved into Ellendale, N.D., where they resided until 1999, when they moved to Medford, Ore., to be close to family. LaRoy loved to golf and garden and belonged to many organizations, but his greatest love and joy was his family and spending time with them. LaRoy died March 8, 2007, at Avemere at Three Fountains, Medford, Ore. Grateful to have shared his life are his wife: Luella, Medford, Ore.; two daughters, Rosemary Hill Ueckert, Bismarck, N.D., and Carole (John) Trammell, Ashland, Ore.; five grandchildren, Stephen Hill, Bismarck, N.D., Elizabeth (Shannon) Potter, Tucson, Ariz., Margo (Curt) Burrill, Medford, Ore., Heidi (Jay) Christensen, Medford, Ore., Jessica (Bret) Cromwell, Bend, Ore.; one sister Opal (Myron) Bull, St. Paul, Minn.; 13 great-grandchildren and six nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, LaMoine and Lacel. Visitation: 3-6 p.m. Friday at Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Presbyterian United Methodist Church, Ellendale, with Pastor Joseph Manja officiating. Burial: Ellendale City Cemetery. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.